Editor's Pick: Stratasys Announces Mojo 3D Printer

By Anthony J. Lockwood

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

My goodness. All kinds of interesting things are going on in the world of additive manufacturing. And Stratasys with its new Mojo 3D Printer might just take the cigar. Where to begin … How about the basics?

The Mojo 3D Printer is the heart of the Mojo 3D Print Pack. The latter goes for $9,900. (You can also lease Mojo in the US for $185 a month.) So what does $9,900 get you? Well, a professional-grade 3D printer that leverages Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) material extrusion technology, system software, and a support-removal system. It also comes with something called a QuickPack print engine, which I’ll say more about in a bit.

The Mojo is a 60-lb. desktop unit so, while it’s an unfair comparison, I had to Google to see if I was right. Yes siree Bob, this unit is roughly the size of a good built-in microwave. And, what do you get for that size? You get a 5 x 5 x 5 in. build size (maximum) -- that may pause you a sec. But 5 x 5 x 5 is a pretty hefty part model -- it probably covers 90%, if not all, of what you need in a 3D printer. Plus, that model is built with a 0.007 in. (0.17 mm) layer thickness -- a fine detail once only available on the company’s high-end Dimension and Fortus production systems.

OK, the QuickPack print engine. Two neat things to know here. QuickPack is an integrated package that contains the ABSplus thermoplastic spool and the print head. When it’s time to reload materials, you insert a new QuickPack. The trick is that it comes with a new print head, which means you should get excellent results time after time. Second, the process of loading materials and installing the print head is no more arduous than replacing an inkjet cartridge on your paper printer. There’s a picture in today’s Pick of the Week write-up that’ll give you an idea. As an aside, the entire Mojo set up -- from opening the box to loading the software -- seems to be no more demanding than setting up a new desktop printer, which is pretty neat in and of itself.

Mojo also comes with Print Wizard software for prepping your CAD models for 3D printing and the WaveWash 55 Support Cleaning System for removing model support materials. The WaveWash 55, which reminds me of a ’70s era Swedish modern coffee thermos with an attached bean grinder, fits on the desktop as well. It uses agitation, water, and eco-benign cleaning tablets to do its job. You don’t have to plumb it in, and, BTW, Mojo’s specs don’t indicate special electrical or venting work.

All in all, the Mojo sounds very interesting, very capable for the price -- and the lease option makes it affordable pretty much by anyone. Lots of pictures as well as links to a video and more docs on Mojo come with today’s Pick of the Week write-up. One link goes to a signup to receive a complimentary sample made by a Mojo 3D Printer. I did it. Give it a go yourself. Seeing is believing, you know?

Thanks, Pal. — Lockwood

Anthony J. Lockwood
Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering

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